Other Religions
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We received the following email from Emily, who did not provide a return email address. So we were not able to send this answer to her. Her question was:

Why do you say that Christianity is the only true religion? There are many religions, how does that make yours the only true one? Do you have any proof other than a large boring book that was probably made up? Why does God say that 'you shall worship no other God but me'? Is he that self-conscious? Wake up Christians.

Emily.

Here's our Answer:

Hi Emily:

Thanks for your email and questions.

Yes, you are right, there are many religions. Four major ones and thousands of minor ones. How do I know Christianity is the right one? Because the knowledge of God is written in my heart.

I know. That makes no sense. But it is the truth for all Christians.

Here's one answer:

Let's look at the answer to your question in a more logical way. First, after learning what religions have to offer, we find that all are exclusive. All claim to have the one and only way to salvation. Even religions that say they include all other religions--everyone is welcome--are based on the exclusive belief that you must accept all religions. If you don't accept that, you do not believe in the right thing.

So, if all religions are exclusive of all others, that means either only one religion is right, or none are right. You can not have two that are right because they immediately exclude each other.

Some might say that some religions worship the same god by different names. For example, the God of the Bible (Christianity) and Islam's god Allah. But if you look at the characteristics of each you'll find that Allah is nothing like the God of the Bible. And this is true all of gods, they are all different. This means they are exclusive of each other. Islam does not worship the God of the Bible.

Buddists don't have a God at all and Hindus have millions of gods. These are not different religions worshipping the same god(s). So again we see that each god (or set of gods) is exclusive. Either there is only one true God (or set of gods) or there is no god.

You know the answer to that question. We all have a hole in our soul that only God can fill. We all have the feeling that something is missing in our lives. Until we let Him fill that hole, we'll continually be searching for something to fill it ourselves. Some try to fill it with money, sex, power, parties, good works and other earthy things. But late at night, when we are by ourselves, we know that none of these are filling the hole in our soul. And we feel the emptiness.

Some people eventually come to realize that only God can fill the empty place in us.

So now, how do we know which is the one true God?

The answer is that God gives us a gift, and through this gift we recognize Him. But, as before, this does not make sense until you've experienced it.

You can look at things logically and you'll see that all religions have certain things in common:

<> They all require you to do good works in order to be saved, except Christianity.

<> The founders/leaders of all religions died as we all do, except Christianity. Jesus is the only one who died with a purpose. Through his death he paid the penalty we all owe for what we have done wrong. And none of the other religions have leaders/founders who even tried to claim they rose from the dead (something that is easy to disprove if it did not actually happen) as Jesus did.

<> In no other religions does God love His people so much that He suffers along with His creation.

<> You can be born a Muslim, or Jew, or Buddist... but you can not be born a Christian. Each person must make a decision for Christ themselves.

Why do all other religions have many things in common with each other, but not with Christianity? Why does Christianity stand out as unique among all religions? Because all have something in common--they are created by man, except Christianity.

But here's the bottom line. Something you can see for yourself. Of all the religions, including atheism, which religion has had the greatest influence for good in the world? The answer is Christianity. Yes, people calling themselves Christians have done some horrible things throughout history. Yes, we take two steps forward and then one step backwards. Yet, when placed on the scales of history, Christianity has done far more good than all other religions. Christianity has done far more than any other religion or belief system to advance civilization.

All other religions mainly serve themselves. You don't hear about Muslims, Buddists or Hindus building hospitals and schools around the world as Christians have done and are doing. You don't hear about Muslin, Hindu or Buddist countries accepting all other types of believers into their countries as we do. Where are the great Muslims, Hindus or Buddists who dedicate their lives to serving the poor? (Like Mother Terresa and other great compassionate Christians) You don't hear about Islam, Buddism and Hinduism changing people's lives for the good the way Christianity does.

I hope I have answered your question in this brief email. I'll be happy to answer any other questions you may have.

May God bless you this Christmas season.
Steve
Mission to America
web site: http://www.evangelical.us